Flight home?

[Macdl]

Just wondering if a flight back to Canada is doable at 10:30 am ...the next one out for us is 3:30pm and I could be almost home by then if I jump on 10:30 flight.

 

 

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[didicruiser]

Which ship/port?

[Macdl]

Sorry... Equinox from Fort Lauderdale in April

 

 

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[didicruiser]

I would and have done this flight time twice. However, you must have an alternate plan in case you miss the flight due to port issues.

Also, I traveled in the states, not international. I don't know what extra hoops Canadians have to go through.....

[chemmo]

Out last arrival in Fort Lauderdale was the worst ever....including ports worldwide....The ship docked promptly, no issues, it just took forever to get through passport control. People were waving their airline tickets and trying to queue jump which, some people like us in no rush, let them whilst others would not concerned re their own flight. Emotions and tempers were rising...not a great end to a holiday.

 

The positive for you is I am fairly sure Canadians went through the US side which did move quicker than 'the rest of the world'.

 

If you are going to go for an early flight you would need to self embark and have flexible tickets just in case... It would be useful if someone else could comment if I am right that Canadians are usually in the US line as I really do think that makes a difference in time.

 

To be honest I would hope a couple of Canadians could share their experiences before you go ahead and book...

Edited October 9, 2016 by chemmo

[ClaudiaB]

When we walk off ourselves (self-disembarkation) we're usually at the airport by 8:15 and we like a 10 a.m. flight home.

Maybe it's longer since you have an international flight, but if customs and things are going well you literally can be among the first handful off the ship. IF....IF you ignore the time they post to come down to self-disembark and get there about 45 minutes earlier.

If you can have your backup plan ready, then I'd go for it. We have never had an issue getting off at FLL, but we usually are getting off early. Sometimes things can back up but knock-wood we've been good so far in about 7 arrivals there.

Not sure if Canadians can do TSA-Pre screen or not but if you have that, it also expedites things greatly at the airport.

[DrivesLikeMario]

The first part of April is busy, busy, busy at the port. TONS of cruisers, families, and confused, unprepared people.

 

If you choose to go with that early flight, make sure you have a second flight all lined up in case something goes wrong. Make sure there are seats available on your "Plan B" flight, have the flight number and carrier (even if it's a different one) all written down ahead of time. Be prepared to jump ship from the early flight as soon as you get an inkling that you won't make it before the hoards of other people realize it too and try to get on later flights. In other words, just be prepared and proactive and hopefully, all will go smoothly without having to use Plan B. ;)

[Macdl]

How does one line up a second flight??

 

 

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Edited October 10, 2016 by Macdl

[waterbug123]

make sure you have a second flight all lined up in case something goes wrong. Make sure there are seats available on your "Plan B" flight, have the flight number and carrier

 

How does one line up a second flight??

 

I think what DrivesLIkeMario is suggesting is just that the OP should be aware of the next flight in case the OP misses the early one. That way they can go to the check-in counter or call the airline and be ready to ask to be put on that next flight. Whether or not the airline would charge a change fee to do so is anybody's guess. But I hope he understands that "making sure seats are available" isn't as easy as just checking the seat map for the flight; seats that are sold but unassigned (as often happens with the cheapest fares) will show as "available" on the seat map even though the flight may be sold out.

[need2bespoiled]

I think this is totally doable, even if you don't walk off. You may stack the deck in your favor, like make sure you get an early time, or ignore the time and leave when you need to (I know, I know, it's break "rules"). Other ways to make it easier are hire a porter to move your luggage as they generally push through or skip lines as their hustling to make $$ and don't want to wait in line with you, get a Nexus card (available to Canadians) / TSA prec-check, have a car waiting so you can skip a taxi line, if any). Skip checking luggage (blashmpeny for my partner and sometimes me). If you have a suite, you can be escorted off to expedite the process.

 

As long as the ship isn't late, which is rare, there usually lined up to go into port starting at the wee early hours of the morning, in the worst case, they're trying to kick everyone off by 9am which means most passengers are off much earlier, even an hour for luggage / customs which is very long, if you're off by 8:30 you'd still likely make your flight, but it would get close.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Macdl]

Thanks Guys... We usually do take that 3:30 flight and are the last people of the ship but thinking we will chance if and take the early flight... We always take our own luggage off and we do have nexus cards[emoji106]

 

 

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[need2bespoiled]

Thanks Guys... We usually do take that 3:30 flight and are the last people of the ship but thinking we will chance if and take the early flight... We always take our own luggage off and we do have nexus cards[emoji106]

 

 

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Make sure you attach your Nexus (known traveler number) to your tickets. You should get PreCheck then, but there are no guarantees. On a recent flight as a member of Nexus/Global Entry and a premier traveler I received extra screening on 3 of 4 international fights but I had a fast turn around in Asia.

 

If your first boarding pass attempt doesn't have precheck attached (must have logo), sometimes I get it by checking in again.

 

Good luck and happy sailing,

Jenna

Edited October 10, 2016 by need2bespoiled